Verizon Fios is CNET’s choice for the best Internet service provider in Pennsylvania. With its 100% fiber-optic connection, the service shines for its competitive pricing, unlimited data, long-term price guarantee and strong track record of high customer satisfaction.
While Verizon Fios is CNET’s best overall choice, there are also cheaper and faster Internet options in Pennsylvania. Astound Broadband has the lowest starting price for Internet in Pennsylvania at $20 monthly, delivering up to 300 megabits per second with unlimited data.
Frontier Fiber offers the fastest Internet plans of any major ISP in Pennsylvania, with symmetrical speeds of up to 7,000Mbps starting at $300 per month. Plus, gig service with speeds of 1,000Mbps or more is available from several Pennsylvania ISPs, including Astound, Kinetic by Windstream, Xfinity and Verizon.
Pennsylvania Internet Provider Honorable Mentions
BrightSpeed: After recently acquiring a network from Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber) in Pennsylvania, BrightSpeed offers DSL and fiber Internet service to areas west and southeast of Harrisburg, north of Pittsburgh, and along the New Jersey border. Like any DSL or fiber provider, it’s worth checking out BrightSpeed’s fiber service, but if your address is only serviceable for DSL Internet, you’ll want to explore other options.
Kinetic by Windstream: Another DSL provider, Kinetic is available to slightly more Pennsylvania residents than BrightSpeed. Although the DSL service is better than most, it’s still DSL. Consider Kinetic Fiber if it’s available, but be sure to explore all your options before committing to DSL service.
Service Electric: Local cable ISP Service Electric offers speeds ranging from 100 to 1,000Mbps, starting at $48 to $147 per month, with no data caps or contracts. The service is available in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley area, as well as Wilkes-Barre, Lewisburg and Mount Carmel. Plans include equipment, but customers have the option to lease equipment for up to $11 per month.
Spectrum: Xfinity is the top cable provider in Pennsylvania, but Spectrum has a small presence in the northern part of the state, particularly in Erie. Spectrum keeps it simple with two plans ranging from 500 to 1,000Mbps, starting at $50 to $70 per month, with no data caps, no contracts, a free modem rental and the option to rent a router for $10 per month.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon’s mobile service is available throughout Pennsylvania, but Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Scranton are where you’ll find the best coverage of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network — the Verizon network best suited for home internet.
Plans start at $50 or $70 per month for speeds of 50 to 300Mbps or 85 to 1,000Mbps. Eligible Verizon mobile customers can get a $15 to $25 discount on home internet costs.
Satellite Internet: This is always an option provided you have a clear view of the southern sky, but slow speeds, data restrictions and high costs make satellite internet a last resort for broadband. If you have no other internet options, check out popular satellite providers HughesNet and Viasat or possibly Starlink.
Internet overview by city in Pennsylvania
It’s difficult to cover an entire state’s internet options while giving individual cities the in-depth attention they deserve. That’s why we’ve also compiled a list of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including Pennsylvania. If you don’t see your hometown below, check back later. We’re working to add more every day.